Method of producing embossed photographs



INMUMDC (NO MOdeL) l P. A. TABER. MHTHOH OP HHODUOING HMBOSSHD PHOTOGRAPHS.

Patented Mar. 17 '1896.

AN DREW ILGRAMAMv PHOTD-LITMQWASM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREEMAN A. TABER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

METHOD OF PRODUCING EMBOSSED PHOTOGRAPHS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,591, dated March 17, 1896.

Application filed August 14, 1895. Serial No. 559,345. (No specimens.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FREEMAN A. TABER, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Producing Embossed Photographs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

This invention relates to improvements in photography, and more particularly tothe method of producing photographic images the product of which forms the subject-matter of my companion application, filed even date herewith and serially numbered 559,346.

Heretofore photographs have been produced on iiat paper and rounded or bulged paper, the latter being an endeavor to project the image to give the idea of relief. 0n the flat paper the same idea has been carried out in accenting the lights and shadows on the image and throwing an imaginary shadow on the background, such as would be produced by a raised image.

This invention is designed to produce the above-mentioned effect; and it consists in the method of carrying out the same, substantially as hereinafter fully disclosed, and specifically pointed out by the claim.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front view of a photograph treated in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a front view ofthe mold for embossing the prints. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the lines X X of Fig. 1.

The Erst step in this process is in the taking of the negative, as is usual in photography. A block of wood A is then provided with a sensitized surface to receive a photographic impression, which is developed as a plate or paper. In some cases I prefer to merely provide as a sensitized surface for the block a prepared sheet of sensitized paper. This block is then carved out to varying depths, according to the intensity of the lights and shadows on the photograph. In carving, the high lights and pronounced features are sunk the deepest, and from them the remaining carving is graduated. This mold is dressed o smooth to leave no rough surfaces to mar the photograph, and is then ready to receive the print. While I have here described the carving as being minute in details of features, this is not essential, for the reason that the smaller features are shown by the lights and shades of the photograph.

To register the molded impression and the print, I provide a form or frame B, which is adjusted so that when the print is laid therein it will accurately register with the mold. The prints are now mounted on a cardboard backing, and when set they are moistened and placed over the mold in the frame B face downward. Sponge rubber is then spread over the back and the whole placed in a press, which by means of the interposed rubber forces the print into the mold and compels it to take the shape of the mold. This shape being sunk in the mold to the varying depths produces in the photograph a counter-relief. The print is now maintainedunder pressure until dried, when it will be found to be embossed to conform to the photograph, the features being pronounced in likeness to the individual. When so dried, the embossed print is mounted on suitable mounts.

In some cases I iind it desirable to ll the back of the embossed image with plaster o or other material for the purpose of maintaining it solid. Also I iind that I can pack them more easily by placing them on mounts with sunken panels, as the sides of the mounts prevent the mashing of the embossed prints.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim is-4 The method of embossing photographs, which consists in transferring a print to the surface of a block, forming an embossingmold in said block in conformity with said print, providing the block with a frame to A form the register for the prints and mold, trimming the prints to fit within said frame and pressing the print into the mold, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of August, 1895.

FREEMAN A. TABER. Witnesses E. F. MURDOCK, BALDWIN VALE. 

